Jack stand

ABSTRACT

A jack stand for supporting hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electro-mechanical jacks such that the jacks will have greatly increased stability during the handling of heavy loads using the jacks. The stand includes a central broad platform interconnected with broad feet and a horseshoe collar spaced above the broad central platform and interconnected to the platform and to the spaced feet. Means can be provided for closing the opening formed by the horseshoe collar to further support a jack positioned on the stand and within the collar, should this be deemed desirable.

United States Patent [191 Westwood 5] Nov. 18, 1975 JACK STAND [76] Inventor: Gordon L. Westwood, PO. Box

3927, Central Point, Oreg. 97501 [22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 449,732

[52] US. Cl 248/346; 248/352 [51] Int. Cl. F16M 13/00 [58] Field ofSearch 248/46, 346, 352, 357

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 650,001 5/1900 Becker et a1 248/44 1,521,764 1/1925 Graver 248/346 X 1,764,182 6/1930 Rawson 248/346 X 2,715,005 8/1955 Hildebrand 248/346 X 3,365,159 l/l968 Corneliusen 248/346 Primary Examiner--William l-l. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or F irmCriddle & Thorpe [57] ABSTRACT A jack stand for supporting hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electro-mechanical jacks such that the jacks will have greatly increased stability during the handling of heavy loads using the jacks. The stand includes a central broad platform interconnected with broad feet and a horseshoe collar spaced above the broad central platform and interconnected to the platform and to the spaced feet. Means can be provided for closing the opening formed by the horseshoe collar to further support a jack positioned on the stand and within the collar, should this be deemed desirable.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures unann-uumm-mw U.S.- Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet10f2 3,920,212

US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,920,212

JACK STAND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to devices for stabilizing lifting jacks as they are used to raise and lower heavy loads.

2. Prior Art Stabilizing devices for lifting jacks have long been known. US. Pat. No. 1,350,970, for example, shows one type of stabilizing apparatus wherein clamps are used to lock a jack base to a larger supporting platform. US. Pat. No. 2,625,352, shows a lifting jack with an enlarged tripod base. In this patent, the legs of the tripod pivot from a storage position to radiating use positions.

So far as I am aware, there has not heretofore been available a jack stand that can be adapted for use with great many types of jacks, including pneumatic, hy-

draulic, mechanical and electro-mechanical jacks and that will allow for easy positioning of the lifting jack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Principal objects of the present invention are to provide a jack stand that is adaptable for use with various 'types of lifting jacks, and that will provide a maximum and interconnected with the central platform and each of the spaced feet by structural support members. A latch is mounted to be extended across the opening formed by the horseshoe collar, to thereby close the opening and provide additional support, against tipping, for a jack positioned on the central platform and within the horseshoe collar.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from following the detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jack stand of the invention, taken from the front and slightly above the jack stand;

FIG. 2, a side elevation of the jack stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a view like FIG. 1, but showing a jack supported by the jack stand;

FIG. 4, a view like that of FIG. 1, but showing one embodiment of a latch means;

FIG. 5, a similar view, showing a second embodiment of the latch means; and

FIG. 6, a perspective view, taken from a corner and slightly above and showing a third embodiment of the latch means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings:

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the jack stand, shown generally at 10, includes a large, flat, central platform 11 and four corner platforms or feet 12. The feet 12 are interconnected by members 13, and members 14 interconnect the central platform with each of the feet 12. A horseshoe shaped collar 15 is positioned above the central platform 11 and is supported by members 16 that interconnect the collar 15 and each of the feet 12 and by vertical members 17 that extend beneath the collar 15 to the central platform '11. A lock strap 18 interconnects the spaced vertical members 17 at a point slightly above the surface of the central platform 11. The lock strap 18 is curved to project outwardly from the members 17, beneath the web 15a of the collar 15. So arranged, the lock strap 18 does not block insertion of a jack into the jack stand.

The members 13, 14 and 16 are illustrated as being formed from angle members, and this configuration is preferred because of the strength such members afford. However, it will be apparent that brace members of other configurations could also be used.

As shown best in FIG. 3, jack stand 10 is particularly adapted for use with a jack having a flat base that projects from the telescoping portions of the jack. As shown in FIG. 3, a hydraulic jack 20, of conventional construction, has a flat base plate 21 that is positioned to rest on the central platform 11 and beneath the lock strap 18. The jack 20 is positioned such that its upstanding base is against the lock strap 18 and its upstanding housing is in engagement with the inner surface of the U-shaped collar 15. The collar 15 thus contacts the housing on approximately three sides to provide stability to the housing. At the same time, any tendency of the jack to tip is countered by the engagement of the jack base with the undersurface of the lock I strap 18.

Since not all conventional jacks have a projecting platform base, that will slide beneath the lock strap 18, it is preferred that the jack base also have some means for closing the opening formed in the horseshoe collar 15 after the jack has been positioned within the jack stand 10. Since it is not unusual that the means closing the opening of the horseshoe collar can not conve-, niently be elevated above the top of the jack stand, it is preferred that such means be adaptable for locking across the opening without a necessity for first elevating it above the jack stand. If, for example, the jack stand is to be used in operations involving the moving of heavy structures both transversely and longitudinally, such as is disclosed in my co-pending application for US. Ser. No. 380,l52, filed .Iuly I8, 1973, it is fre-,

quently necessary that the jack stand be positioned, a load be placed thereon, and thereafter, the jack be moved into place and the locking means across the opening of horseshoe collar 15 be secured- I For the reasons given, the locking means shown" in FIGS. 4 and 5 are presently preferred. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of U-shaped brackets 23 are fixed, as by welding, to the upper portions of those members 16 interconnecting feet 12 and the horseshoe collar 15 adjacent to the opening formed by the horseshoe collar. A bar 24 is then provided to be slipped into the U-shaped brackets and to close the openings formed by the horseshoe collar.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the locking means is shown. In this embodiment, pins 25 and 26 project from the members 16 interconnecting the feet 12 and the horseshoe collar 15 adjacent to the opening formed by the collar. The pins 25 and 26 each have an enlarged head spaced from the members 16. A locking bar 27 having an elongate slot 28 therein is mounted on the pin 26 between the member 16 and the enlarged head of the pin. So arranged, the locking bar 27 can reciprocate with respect to the pin 26.

A notch 29 is formed at the other end of locking bar 27 and is adapted to fit over the small portion of pin 25 and between the enlarged head of the pin and the member 16 to which the pin is connectedPrior to positioning of a jack within the jack stand of FIG. 5, the locking bar 27 is raised slightly and removed from pin 25, by pushing the notch 29 in the direction of pin 26..

Thereafter, the locking bar, is released and is allowed to I swing to a lowered position. After the jack has been installed and is resting on central platform 11 while projecting upwardly through collar 15, the locking bar 27' is raised and pivoted about pin 26 and then is moved over and above pin before being lowered thereon.

In FIG; 6, an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is employed, In this arrangement, however, tubing members 30 are welded to, the ends. of the horseshoe collar so that the openings through the tubing member are in alignment to receive a bar 31. A chain 32 or other such structure can be used, if desired, to

tether the bar 31 to a suitable member, such as a member 16.

'The locking bars 24, 27 and 31 provide support against tipping for any jack that may be placed within the jack stand 10. Obviously, the locking bars can be used even with those jacks having bases that slide besubject matterl regard as my invention.

I claim: .1. A jack stand comprising abase on which the base plate of a jack may be POSI'.

tioned; a horseshoe shaped collar spaced above the base, support braces extending outwardly and downwardly I from the collar to the base;

a lock strap positioned closely above the base and be neath the web of the horseshoe shaped collar whereby a portion of a base plate of a jack on the base may be positioned beneath the lock strap; and

meansfor supporting said lock strap.

2. A jack stand as in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a central, fiat platform; 7

four equally spaced, flat feet surrounding the central, flat platform; and v brace members interconnecting the said feet, and each of the feet with the central platform member.

3. jack stand as in claim 2, wherein the means for I I supporting the lock strap comprises a pair of spaced, vertical support members. interconnecting the horseshoe collar and the central, flat platform. a 4. A jack stand as in claim 1, further including lock means for extending across the opening of the a horseshoe shaped collar; and

means for releasably securing said lock means in said position across the opening. '5. A jackstand as in claim 1, further including a jack having an enlarged, essentially flat projecting base said jack resting on the central, flat platform with the projecting base extending beneath the lock strap. 6. A jack stand comprising a base;

a horseshoe shaped collar spaced above the base; support braces extending outwardly and downwardly from the collar to the base;

a lock strap positioned closely above the base and beneath the web of the horseshoe shaped collar;

means for supporting said lock strap;

lock means including a bar, for extending across the opening of the horseshoe shaped collar;-and

'means including a' paired upturned U-shaped brackets, respectively positioned on the support braces beneaththe ends. of the horseshoe collar at the opening thereof to receive the bar, for releasably securing. said barin locking position across said opening.

7. A jack stand comprising a base; I

a horseshoe shaped collar, spacedabove the base;

support braces extending outwardly and downwardly from the collar to the base;

a lock strap positioned closely above the base and beneath the web of the horseshoe shaped collar, means for supporting said lock strap;

horseshoe shaped collar at the openingthereof,

each of said pins having an enlarged head thereon I a spaceddistance from the support brace to which the pin is attached; and I lock means comprising a bar having an elongate slot.

in one end thereof, said slot closely fitting over one of said pins between the. support brace and head thereof, and a notch1in the other, end of the, bar,

thereof. I

a pair of pins respectively fixed to and projecting I I from the support braces beneath the ends of the 

1. A jack stand comprising a base on which the base plate of a jack may be positioned; a horseshoe shaped collar spaced above the base; support braces extending outwardly and downwardly from the collar to the base; a lock strap positioned closely above the base and beneath the web of the horseshoe shaped collar whereby a portion of a base plate of a jack on the base may be positioned beneath the lock strap; and means for supporting said lock strap.
 2. A jack stand as in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a central, flat platform; four equally spaced, flat feet surrounding the central, flat platform; and brace members interconnecting the said feet and each of the feet with the central platform member.
 3. A jack stand as in claim 2, wherein the means for supporting the lock strap comprises a pair of spaced, vertical support members interconnecting the horseshoe collar and the central, flat platform.
 4. A jack stand as in claim 1, further including lock means for extending across the opening of the horseshoe shaped collar; and means for releasably securing said lock means in said position across the opening.
 5. A jack stand as in claim 1, further including a jack having an enlarged, essentially flat projecting base said jack resting on the central, flat platform with the projecting base extending beneath the lock strap.
 6. A jack stand comprising a base; a horseshoe shaped collar spaced above the base; support braces extending outwardly and downwardly from the collar to the base; a lock strap positioned closely above the base and beneath the web of the horseshoe shaped collar; means for supporting said lock strap; lock means including a bar, for extending across the opening of the horseshoe shaped collar; and means including a pair of upturned U-shaped brackets, respectively positioned on the support braces beneath the ends of the horseshoe collar at the opening thereof to receive the bar, for releasably securing said bar in locking position across said opening.
 7. A jack stand comprising a base; a horseshoe shaped collar, spaced above the base; support braces extending outwardly and downwardly from the collar to the base; a lock strap positioned closely above the base and beneath the web of the horseshoe shaped collar; means for supporting said lock strap; a pair of pins respectively fixed to and projecting from the support braces beneath the ends of the horseshoe shaped cOllar at the opening thereof, each of said pins having an enlarged head thereon a spaced distance from the support brace to which the pin is attached; and lock means comprising a bar having an elongate slot in one end thereof, said slot closely fitting over one of said pins between the support brace and head thereof, and a notch in the other end of the bar, said notch being sized to closely fit over the other pin between the support brace and the head thereof. 